Pedestal mounted circumferentially traveling shoe type tire mounting device



April 13,1948.

. A L. A. SMITH 2,439,615 PEDESTAL MOUNTED, CIRCUMFERENTIALLY TRAVELINGSHOE TYPE, TIRE MOUNTING DEVICE y Filed Nov. 24, 1944,- 4 Sheets-Sheety1 INVENTOR. 60N f4. S M/ TH -A TToRA/E Y April I3, 1948. L. A. SMITH2,439,615

PEDESTAL MOUNTED, CIRCUMFERENTIALLY TRAVELING SHOE TYPE, T MOUNTINGDEVICE Filed 24, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 1N V EN TOR.

Y [je Y Eo/v f4.5 /TH BY /WJ April 13, 194

8. sMrrH SHOE TYPE,4 TIRE Filed Nov. 24, 1944` L. A. PEDESTAL MOUNTED,GIRCUMFERENTIALLY. THAVELING MOUNTING DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 April 13,1948. L. A. sMm-l 2,439,615

PEDESTAL MOUNTED, CIRCUMFERENTIALLY TRAVELING SHOE TYPE, TIRE MOUNTINGDEVICE Filed NQV.'24, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I /0 e /2 5 6 l NVENTOR.- ENA 5/4/ 777.

Patented Apr. 13, 1948 2,439,615 PEDESTAL MOUNTED CIRCUMIFERENTIAL- LYTRAVELING SH ING DEVICE OE TYPE TIRE MOUNT- Leon A. Smith, Shelby, Ohio,assignor to The Shelby Cycle Company, Shelby, Ohio, a corporation ofOhio Application November 24, 1944, Serial N c. 564,912.

4 Claims. (Cl. 157-6) This invention relates to a machine for mountingtires on rims and particularly to a machine for mounting bicycle-tireson the rims of completely assembled bicycle wheels.

One of the principal objects of the invention is to provide a simpledevice for installing a tire on the rim of a bicycle wheel with theminimum of manual manipulation of the tire.

A more specic object is to provide, for installing a tire on the rim, apower operated machine which reduces the possibilities of marring thetire or the rim to a minimum.

Another specific object is to provide a machine for the purposesdescribed in which the wheel on which the tire is to be installed can beeasily mounted and secured in place preparatory to the tire installingoperation.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the followingdescription in which reference is made to the drawings, in which Fig. 1is a side elevation of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the mechanism illustrated at the rightin Fig. 1, showing a tire v in the process of being installed;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the mechanism illustr-ated in Fig. 2 andincludes, additionally, portions of the power applying mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on a plane indicated by theline 4-4 on Figs. 1 and 3;

Figs 5, 6 and 7 are fragmentary vertical sectional detail views taken onplanes indicated by lin-es 5-5, 6-6 and 1-I, respectively, of Fig. 3;Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view through a rim and a tire which isbeing installed thereon, illustrating the operation of the tireinstalling shoes of the machine the shoe being shown diagrammaticallyfor clearness in illustration;

Figs. 9 through l2, inclusive, are fragmentary sectional views taken onplanes indicated by the lines 9 9, III-Ill, I I-II and I2-I2,respectively, of Fig. 8; and Fig. 13 is a perspective view of one of thetire applying shoes of the present invention. l

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, the machine comprises a supportor table I which is arranged to support a bicycle type of wheel with itsaxis disposed vertically and in a substantially fixed position radiallyexcept for a limited movement later to be described. The table I issupported onA an upright post 2 which, in turn, is supported on asuitable framework 3. The post 2 is in a position concentric with theposition which the axis of the wheel is to occupy when the wheel ismounted on the table preparatory to installing a tire.

Mounted on the post 2 for swinging movement about its axis are radi-allyextending sweep arms )l and 5 which extend outwardly radially beyond thelimits of the table I1 and the rim of the wheel which is supportedthereon. The arms are arranged for concurrent swinging movement inopposite directions about the post 2 from a starting position, such asillustrated by full lines in Fig.` 3, past the relative position of thearms shown on Fig. 2 to a, final position, not illustrated; and duringthis movement the tire is progressively installed on the rim.

In order to drive the arms 4 and 5 in xed time relation to each otherthe arms are provided with segmental wheel or disc elements I3 and 1,respectvely, which terminates inside of the periphery limit of the tableI and provide other peripheral channels 8 and 9, respectively, each ofwhich channels is adapted to receive and partially support a flexibledriving member such as a sprocket chain. The chains I0 and II pass inopposite circumferential directions in and about the channels of thesegmental discs 6 and 1, respectively, and each is secured at one; endto its associated disc. chains pass in opposite directions aroundcoaxial guiding sprockets I2 and I3, respectively, which are mounted forindependent rotation about an upright pivot I5 supported in the frame 3in suitable brackets I6 on said frame. The chains lil and II, in turn,are fastened at their free ends to the opposite ends of a yoke or headI'I which is connected to a draw bar I8 of a power operated rainV I9.

In order` to obtain swinging movement of the arms `4 and 5 and bringthem close together to their final position, the arms are spaced oneabove the other and the segmental discs also are spaced axially of thepost 2 so as to lie in diiierent planes and permit relative passage.

Carried on the extremities of the arms 4 and 5 are tire installing shoes20 and 20', respectively. Since the shoes 20 and 20 are the same infunction, the shoe 20 only will be described in detail. As illustratedin Figs. 1, 2 and 4, the shoe 20 is mounted on a pivot 22 on the arm I`for l swinging movement inwardly and toward the support I and outwardly-away therefrom. For operating the shoe from one extreme position to theother a toggle mechanism, including links 23 and 24 and an operatinglever 25 is provided. The toggle mechanism, as will be clear from Figs.4 and 7, holds the shoe xedly in the extreme work- At their free endsthe` applying position. The trailing edge lies radially outwardly beyondthe periphery of the rim R so as to expand the tire beyond-lthefrirn=as`thei-trailing edge passes therealong. 'Thepei'iplreralgu-iiiy ingsurface of the shoe is smooth and polished ing position, it terminatesaxially .slightlyeabove the upper limit of the rim R. Reference isdirected to Figs. 9 to 12 showingithelprogressive action of the tireapplying surfaces of the shoe'in' mounting the tire.

Formed on each shoein xed relation to the surface 26. isaV cam :surface21fwhich .is arranged to engage the upper surface of attire to.be..installed and slide therealong .as -thearms `swing `from starting'to.final position. This suriace'l slopes downwardlyC or -toward..the.support l from its leading edge to its Utrailing edge ia .sufcientdistance sothat'fat the ltrailing ,edge-.the upper beadof the tire 'Ito.ber-installed isio'rced .downwardly aga-inst the inner .bead of `the.tire and both are -forced together below the upper lbead of the rim Ronwhichtheftire Tis tolbe installed.

At the trailing redge the under surface .of the cam- 2 'l f isfat. orlbelowi theelevel, of: the lower edge of the peripheral expanding surfacel.26\of :the shoey so that as thearmsA andjere swung. relativelyvtogether -to `move btheshoes .toward :each other, the tirevTisexpandedvand,pressedltoward the table -soasto snapeinto place.onithefrim The -shoe..20 yis kbest illustrated in l:Figi 13 and has a.peripheral spiral expanding surface .12 6 and carnV surface 2l. Thesurfaces V126 f Vand 21' correspondl infunction to`the,surtaces..2.6..and L21 respectively but are i oppositely arrangedso4that when the shoesf and.20 swing concurrently in oppositedirectionsabout thea axis. of the shaft 2, the shoes 'coactin .thesamemanner `withithe particular f portions 2 of .the tire :which they-engage. rlhe surface -f 26 expands .radiallyfromdts leading toits'trfailing edge land\.the.surface21 slopesdownwardly from-itslleadingtoits-.trailing edge. rrhe movement cotthearms A-is such @that the shoescanswing intotcontactfwitheach-.other at their leading -edgessoiasytosubstantially dispose the entire tire en .the rim. vIf.the ,permittedconcurrent movement, of' the ,shoes does. netcompletely install thetire, it is only necessary to press a `short uninstalled portion. .ofvthe .tire downwardly .to-.cause it tobe. disengaged Afrom the shoes andsnapintdplace.

.Means are provided. on lthe Ytablezor` support -l for supporting f the,rim RV4 at the AV.coaxial ,position described but withslightlaterahmovementmadially so thatA itcan-adjust.itselflreadilyduringthe tire installing operation totheperipheral .surfaces of vthe shoes.

In orderto supportthe rimR with itsouter peripheral surface closeito.fthexcontinuation :of the surfaces -26 of thefshoesnand -20,a number ofupright. ngersfoneeofzwhich .is :shown 1in detailinFig. 6,ar-.ejprovided;on.the.upper surface ofthe table. -Each .of --thedinger-s comprises an uprighti pin :Zit on which.vresilientrubber-.supporting sleeves, forming AVrim :locating rposts 2'9,are-mounted. Theposts 23 are luniformlyxdistributed "about the peripheryofthe :support l 4 in a position to engage with slight yielding pressurethe inner surface of the rim R on which the tire T is to be installedand support the rim R with its outermost peripheral surfacesubstantially in continuation of the trailing edges of the surfaceslioftheshoes,as..described, when the shoes fare ine'tne tire installingposition. The toggles above described are so arranged as to lift `theshoes upwardly and outwardly clear of the support as illustrated by theshoe 20 in Fig. 4

so as'ltaordreasyaccess to the support for plac-Aingtthereonfafoompleted wheel on the rim R of which atire T"is-to"beinstalled, and for enabling the -wheel..to be readily removed afterinstalla- Ininrlierztofreturn the arms 4 and 5 to starting.position,..suitable.cables 30 and 3l are secured tothe'arms,'respectively, and are led through suitable :pulleys 32 and 33 t0 areturn spring 34 which is stretched as the arms are swung toward theirfinal .tire installing lposition-ley the ramy I9. -Since .the .returnis-rapid, rubber-snoei; absorbers, such' as illustrated at.l y35:,.are iprovided in positions'to engage therespective arms upon their returnmovement. Theshock absorbers 35 preferably Vare mounted on .resilientarms 35 whichhold thenrinlpositionland assi-stin relieving the Shock.imposedbythe.returningarms.

As illustratedLinf Figs. .2, ..4:andf8to 12, inclusive, whenitds desired.tdinstall .a-tireon a rim the toggles areoper-atedto disposethe shoes.29 and 20 outwardly from. the. support vl whereupon the assembledWheelmaybelaid inpositioniupon the support fl -andheld closelyin.place-bythe postslZ'S.` :Duringthis installation ,the armsA ande are.in the. starting position .illustrated in Fig. 3. Thewheel-is,..preferably.arranged with the valve.stern.disposedlbetween the:arms and 5` inl thestarting, position'v of. said. arms.. .In Fig. 3this position. is .at-.theextreme .right of .the supportbetween...theshock. absorbers 35.. The-tire casing with thet-ubeinstalledis placed partly-on the rim with thevalvesteminsertedthroughthe rimin the usuaLmanner as illustratedin .Fig..8, as though thetire-wereto.belinstalledby.hand andthe tire is actually installed .byhand part way'fromthevalve stern to apoint beneath vthe startingposition ofthe 'shoeslitand 2Q?. Thereupon thetoggles are operated todispose -the shoes against'theltire in'operatingpositicn for effectingengagement .of the tire and rim in which positionthey are .held by themovement of the toggles nbeyond. .dead centerl Thereupon power isapplied bythe ram."l9 tothe draw bar i3 andthroughthe.mediumofthechainst@ and Il is transmitted to the 'armslt andE causing them to swingtowardeach 4other from their startingpositi'onsbabouttheperiphery ofthe rim and to their final'position.Duringthis operation the inner periphery of the tire is engaged by theexpanding-surfaces 26 and E6 and the cam surfaces 2l and '2l'concurrently and thereby is forced downwardly'lsofas to disposethe beadsof the tire T'between the flanges of the'rimR. This action continues andthe tire is progressively installedflas the shoes .areswung toward eachother iniaixed: relationshipso thatV substantially the samefam'ountf'oftireis installed by each shoe as they approach thefinal position. Y n

If the :.entire tire vislnot installed by bringing the shoes together inthe nal position, it is supported lso that -aslight .pressureaxially ofthe wheel. can causeth-e remaininginchor -so of tire to slideAv over therim-intoposition tosnap there-,- onto. Upon-.releasefof-the powerbytheram I9 the arms are returned to their starting position by the spring34 and the toggles are operated to remove the shoes whereupon the rimmay be removed and the operation repeated. The resiliency of the post 29affords slight radial movement of the rim so that the ram can adjustitself to any minor variations in tire or rim. Also they support the rimwith a minimum danger to marring of the surface.

I claim:

1. A tire mounting machine comprising a supporting table, a pair ofarms, means supporting the arms for swinging movement toward and awayfrom each other about an axis normal to the plane of the table, rimengaging means on the table for holding a rim thereon with its axissubstantially coincident with said irst mentioned axis, meansoperatively connected to said arms for swinging the arms concurrently ina fixed relation toward each other from a starting to a final position,said means comprising segmental discs xed to the arms respectivelyandcoaxial therewith and spaced apart from each other axially, andhaving peripheral guideways, ilexible members secured at one end to thediscs, respectively, and accommodated in the guideways, means to exert apull on the flexible members for swinging the arms from a starting to anal position, tire applying means carried by the arms, respectively, andoperative upon swinging of the arms from starting to nal position toeiiect progressive engagement of a tire with said rim.

2. A tire mounting machine comprising a supporting table, a pair ofarms, means supporting the arms for swinging movement toward and awayfrom each other about an axis normal to the plane oi' the table, rimengaging means on the table for holding a rim thereon with its axissubstantially coincident with said rst mentioned axis, means operativelyconnected to said arms for swinging the arms concurrently in a iixedrelation toward each other from a starting to a final position, saidmeans comprising segmental discs xed to the arms respectively andcoaxial therewith, said segmental discs having peripheral channelguideways, sprocket chains secured at one end to the segmental discs andaccommodated in the guideways, sprockets in engagement with the chainsbeyond the path of the discs for guiding the free ends of the chainsradially from said axis, a single driving means connected to the freeends of the chains beyond the sprockets for applying a pull on thechains to swing the arms, and tire applying means carried by the arms,respectively, and operative upon swinging of the arms from starting tofinal position to effect progressive engagement of a tire with said rim.

3. A tire mounting machine comprising a supporting table, a pair ofarms, means supporting the arms for swinging movement toward and awayfrom each other about an axis normal to the plane of the table, rimengaging means on the table for holding a rim thereon with its axissubstantially coincident with said iirst mentioned axis, meansoperatively connected to said arms for swinging the arms concurrently inaxed relation toward each other from a starting to a final position,said means comprising segmental discs fixed to the arms respectively andcoaxial therewith and spaced apart from each other axially, and havingperipheral guideways, flexible members secured at one end to the discs,respectively, and accommodated in the guideways, and means to exert apull on the flexible members for swinging the arms from a starting to afinal position, cables connected to the arms for swinging the arms tostarting position, a tension spring connected to the cables and stressedupon swinging the arms toward final position for operating the cables toreturn the arms, and tire applying means carried by the arms,respectively, and operative upon swinging of the arms from starting tonal position to effect progressive engagement of a tire with said rim.

4. In a tire mounting machine including a table, an arm, means mountingthe arm for swinging movement about an axis normal to the plane of thetable, rim engaging means on the table for holding a rim, thereon withits axis substantially coincident with said rst mentioned axis, meansfor swinging said arm from a starting to a nal position, and tireapplying means carried by said arm and operable by swinging of the armfrom starting to iinal position to eiect progressive engagement oi atire with said rim, said tire applying means comprising a rigid shoehaving a spirally curved peripheral expanding surface which expandsradially of the saidaxis from its leading to its trailing edge and ispositioned above the plane of the top of the rim with its leading edgedisposed inwardly of the rim and its trailing edge outwardly thereof,and having a tire engaging cam surface sloping downwardly toward theplane of the table from its leading toward its trailing edge, said camsurface terminating at its trailing edge approximately at the level ofthe lower edge of the trailing end of the expanding surface, meansconnecting the shoe to said arm for swinging movement into operative andinoperative positions, and means for moving and holding said shoe insaid positions selectively. LEON A. SMITH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain May 6,1926 Number Number

